Carolina Breast Care Specialists: Sean Canale, MD

10/18/2026

Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA
Providing Expert Care and Compassion
Sean T. Canale, MD, FACS
Member – American Society of Breast Surgeons
4414 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 211 Raleigh, NC 27607
919-741-5966 voice 919-571-4330 fax
[email protected] http://www.carolinabreastcarespecialists.com
Same Day and Next Day Appointments Available, Second Opinion Consultations Welcome

Dear Patient:

As we enter into another October Breast Cancer Awareness month, there is news which we must share with our valued patients.

In April of 2006, Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA opened as a solo private practice dedicated to providing expert care and compassion to patients with breast health issues. Over the last 20 plus years, it has been our great pleasure to work towards that mission allowing us to meet and work with an incredible group of people, traveling various journeys together, and hopefully making a positive impact on people's lives in a response to how they have impacted our lives as well.

As the proverb based on Chaucer says, “All good things must come to an end”. On November 30, 2026, Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA will close its doors for the final time. Due to logistics of equipment de-installation, our last mammography day will be October 29, 2026. Affected patients with mammography scheduled or due following this date will be scheduled/rescheduled at Raleigh Radiology or Wake Radiology attempting to stay on the same day as their clinical visit to avoid inconvenience. We will continue to see patients on our regular office schedule (Monday to Thursday, 8a to 6p) through November 19, 2026. Patients currently scheduled after this date will be rescheduled as possible. As always, patients may contact the office at (919) 741-5966 Monday to Thursday, 8a to 6p regarding these changes. We want to thank everyone over the past 20 plus years for allowing the privilege to be a part of their care and lives.

As the practice winds down, you will continue to have your current portal access including the ability to download your records (www.cbcspatientportal.com). A hard copy of your formal health record may be requested for a fee of $0.25 per page plus any delivery expenses (i.e. postage) which must be paid in advance. Due to file size and security issues, medical records can not be emailed. A copy of the medical record can be requested for transmission by fax free of charge prior to November 19, 2026 including to any other healthcare provider with whom you elect to continue ongoing breast care. Once the practice has closed, records will be transferred for long term storage to Desert River Solutions (desertriversolutions.com/requests/ , 480-557-3150) where they will be hosted for the next 11 years in accordance with North Carolina state retention laws.

For ongoing care of breast health issues, UNC, Duke, and WakeMed all own dedicated breast surgical practices. Please be aware that your options may be dictated by your insurer based on network participation. Unfortunately, there are no longer any private practice options for breast surgery specialty care in the greater Triangle area.

Additional updates to this information for this will be posted to our website (www.carolinabreastcarespecialists.com).

As always, we wish you the best of luck and health in a long future. Should we cross paths in a non-clinical setting, please do not hesitate to say “hello”.

Sincerely and with the greatest gratitude,

Sean T Canale MD FACS
President - Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA

12/01/2025

Have a breast health issue/concern?
Call us at Carolina Breast Care Specialists.
We are the only 100% breast specialty private practice in the greater Triangle area with a comprehensive array of services for almost 20 years!
And we participate in Cigna(and UHC, Humana, and most others).
Call 919-741-5966 today to learn more ore schedule and appointment.

According to a news release, UNC Health said it will not longer be in network for CIGNA customers starting Monday. With customers being told to bring payment to their appointment at UNC Health faci…

12/01/2025

Have a breast health issue/concern?
Call us at Carolina Breast Care Specialists.
We are the only 100% breast specialty private practice in the greater Triangle area with a comprehensive array of services for almost 20 years!
And we participate in Cigna(and UHC, Humana, and most others).
Call 919-741-5966 today to learn more ore schedule and appointment.

11/25/2025

And another plan dropped by one of the big hospital systems...

From UNC:

Cigna plans will be out of network with UNC Health beginning December 1, 2025.

What this means for your patients:

Patients with Cigna coverage will be responsible for a larger portion of their care costs. Payment for the scheduled service as well as any outstanding balances will be expected prior to or no later than arrival for their appointment.

Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA remains "in network" with Cigna and are happy to seen any patient with breast health issues/concerns including access to annual 3D screening mammography.
Call us today at 919-741-5966 (M-Th, 8a-6p).
Any please let your friends and providers know we are here to help.

11/22/2025

Are you one of the thousands in the greater Triangle area with a United Healthcare policy and now "out of network" with WakeMed AND the practices they own?

And, this is not a unique circumstance. See the UNC (including Rex) notice of Medicare Advantage programs that they are dropping and listen to the Duke commercials about their contracts with Aetna. Or the simple existence and "management" of the UNC Health Alliance that colludes with BCBS-NC to restrict the network to only providers owned (and controlled) by UNC.

Hospitals and systems have become large monsters who's (along with insurance companies) primary purpose is no longer CARE of and for a patient but the almighty $$$

This environment has created significant challenges for private practice providers (most of whom helped support and build these hospitals over the years with their patients AND tax dollars). Especially in specialty care, it can be very difficult to find someone who continues to fight the battle to remain private, independent, and with a patient first focus.

At Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA, we remain in this number as the ONLY private 100% breast health focused practice offering a full array of services including but not limited to breast cancer risk assessment (with high risk screening/surveillance protocols), genetic testing, screening (automated whole breast) and diagnostic ultrasound, 3D screening and diagnostic mammography, multiple methods of minimally invasive image guided biopsy, and oncoplastic surgery expertise in both breast conservation and mastectomy
As we approach our 20th anniversary, to date we have never "dropped" an insurer.

If you are one of the thousands in this area who feel or have been displaced, we are here as a home for the now and future for you breast health issues/concerns.

Call us today at 919-741-5966 (M-Th, 8a-6p).
And, share this with your friends and other healthcare providers.

10/13/2025

News Flash!!!

UNC Health plans to terminate three Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts—Humana, WellCare and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC/formerly Cigna)—at the end of 2025!

Medicare Advantage (Humana, WellCare, HCSC) • What’s happening:
o Beginning January 1, 2026, UNC Health will no longer be in-network with Humana Medicare Advantage, WellCare Medicare Advantage, or Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC, formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans.
o Patients with these MA plans will lose in-network access to UNC Health providers and services at that time.
• Who is affected:
o Patients currently enrolled in a Humana, WellCare, or HCSC Medicare Advantage plan

For affected patients, please know that Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA is and will remain "in network" with these plans and are happy to seen any patients who may be affected by this UNC Health decision for any/all breast health issues. And, you do not need to wait until January 1, 2026 to be seen here. Please feel free to contact us at 919-741-5966, M-Th, 8a-6p

02/17/2025

At Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA, we have > 10 years of experience in performing Sonocine´ Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound Screening (AWBUS) as an adjunct to mammography for our patients with documented overall increased mammographic density (heterogeneously dense or extremely dense).
Call us today for more information and to schedule a consultation.
919-741-5966

Pennsylvania, South Carolina propose requiring insurers to cover breast MRI, ultrasound
Marty Stempniak | February 09, 2025 | Radiology Business | Policy & Regulations

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and South Carolina are proposing requiring health insurers to pay for breast MRI, ultrasound and other supplemental imaging.

Rep. Gina Curry and colleagues introduced House Bill 433 in the Keystone State Jan. 31, referring the measure to the Committee on Insurance. Rep. Sylleste Davis did the same with HB 3202 in South Carolina Jan. 14, as lawmakers sent the bill to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry for consideration.

While health plans are required to cover regular screening mammograms, women with dense breasts or genetic a genetic predisposition to the disease may need additional exams. Gaps in coverage result in individuals paying anywhere from $234 for a follow-up diagnostic mammogram to over $1,000 for a breast MRI. These added costs lead to 1 in 5 women opting to forgo additional testing if they don’t have the funds, a study in Radiology found.

"Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging is not just a matter of healthcare—it's a matter of life and death,” Curry, a Democrat representing Pennsylvania’s Delaware County, said in a statement from the Susan G. Komen foundation shared Feb. 5. “By removing financial barriers to critical follow-up tests, we ensure no one has to choose between their health and their finances, ultimately saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs for all.”

Health plans were first required to cover regular screening mammograms under provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Some members of Congress have since pushed for national legislation to require necessary follow-up tests. However, unable to pass such a policy, states have enacted a patchwork of legislation. Over half now require insurers to cover supplemental imaging, with Massachusetts one of the most recent to pass legislation, signed by the governor in November. Others proposing breast imaging-related measures in 2025 include Utah and Virginia.

In Pennsylvania alone, over 13,650 will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 1,800 will die from the disease, Komen estimated. Another 5,870 will be diagnosed in South Carolina, and 790 are expected to perish from this form of cancer.

“Cost should not impact anyone’s chances to treat or survive cancer,” Rep. Davis said in a separate announcement. “However, the threat of these high costs keep women from getting the imaging they need. That’s why I am sponsoring HB 3202 to require health insurance providers to provide diagnostic and supplemental breast examination coverage without cost-sharing requirements.”

11/01/2024